Bruges is a city that will capture your heart. Bruges, a Unesco World Heritage is rightfully called the “Venice of the North”, because of its medieval architecture surrounded by numerous canals. Painting in Bruges, the Capital of the Flemish painters, is one of a kind experience.

Besides painting the endless vignettes Bruges has to offer, you will also experience Belgium’s specialties like chocolate, lace making, beers, diamants and waffles.

Day 1: Arrival

We will pick you up at the Brussel airport and we will drive you to our hotel near Bruges.

You will have time to settle in, have a drink by the pool and relax before our welcome reception and orientation meeting, followed by your first Belgian dinner.

Days 2, 3 and 4: Bruges, the Venice of the North

This splendid medieval city is one of Belgium’s crown jewels and is largely considered one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. In no other European city are the look and feel of medieval times so present as here in this city close to the North Sea.

The historic downtown of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. In 2002, Bruges was designated the ‘cultural capital of Europe’.

We will get a guided tour from the quaint Beguinage quarters to the impressive Grand Place so that you can decide what to paint.

Lace is one of the specialties in Bruges. We will attend a lace making demonstration by Anya who learned how to make lace at the age of 6.

You will also have some free time to explore more of Bruges.

There is so much to do! Visit one of the various art museums displaying the famous Flemish paintings, the first 13th century hospital, the Church of Our Lady with the sculpture “Madonna and Child,” the only one of Michelangelo’s sculptures to have left Italy within his lifetime.

We will also take a boat ride on the peaceful canals with delightful views of medieval Flemish mansions.

Day 5: Mills and Canals in Damme

Damme is one of the most charming villages in Belgium. Located in the Flanders, between the beaches and Bruges, this village will enchant you with its mills, canals, barges, Gothic church and plaza. The vignettes to paint are endless.

Instead of painting, you can rent a bike at the hotel for a very easy and beautiful bike ride (or walk) along romantic canals with its barges, between quaint towns, outdoor cafés and wind mills. In less than 45 min, you will be in Holland.

Day 6: Dune Beaches by the North Sea

We will spend the morning at our cozy hotel to paint in the garden.

In the afternoon, we will drive to the coast by the North Sea for a complete different scenery. You can paint (or shop) all along the sandy beaches or by the boardwalk that is alive with outdoor cafes, shops, bikers, rollerbladers and strange vehicles known as cuistax.

After our plein-air painting session, we will have dinner by the beach to watch the sunset.

Day 7: A small town in Holland

Today, let’s cross the border to the extreme south-west of Netherlands, close to the Belgian border, to discover a unique piece of Holland: Sluis.

Sluis is known as a friendly and attractive town. You will see reminders of the past, such the town walls andt he town gates everywhere. Located along the canals, the town offers many scenic views for you to paint: boats, mills, flower pots, bikes, etc..A very lively town with many restaurants and shops.

Painting in Holland of course means painting windmills, bikes, canals or flowers. But your Dutch painting experience wouldn’t be complete without tasting the famous Gouda cheese that comes in different flavors and colors.

Charming Hotel in Flanders

The hotel in Flanders is only 7 miles from Bruges. This charming hotel has a beautiful sun room where we will take our breakfasts and a big living room with a grand piano. It has 11 rooms, each with flat screen TV, mini-bar and full bathroom. You will be able to relax either in the open air swimming pool or in the hot tub.

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanals in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeBruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanals in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanals in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWindmill in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWindmill in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeSteven R Hill, pastel art teacher and Jackie Grandchamps, owner of www.frenchescapade.com, on their painting workshop in Belgium.

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastels from Steven R Hill students during the pastel workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWindmill in Dammes, during the painting workshop to Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel workshop in Belgium with art teacher Steven R. Hill, organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWindmill in Dammes, during the painting workshop to Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanals in Bruges, Belgium, during the painting workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel of canal in Bruges, Belgium, by teacher Steven R Hill, during the pastel workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanal in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePastel of canal in Bruges, Belgium, by teacher Steven R Hill, during the pastel workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanal in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanal in Bruges, Belgium during the painting workshop with www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeChurch in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Damme. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Bruges. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTypical Flemish architecture in Bruges. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadePainting done in the streets of Bruges in Belgium. Photo taken by Jackie Grandchamps, owner of painting vacations at www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeChocolate store in Bruges. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeBelgian waffles in Bruges. Vignette for the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeBelgian beers in Bruges, during the escorted tour in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeBeguinage in Bruges. Painting vignette for the watercolor painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeBeguinage in Bruges. Painting vignette for the watercolor painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeDay trip to the North Sea during the watercolor painting workshop taught by teacher Sandy Delehanty in Belgium and organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeDay trip to the North Sea during the watercolor painting workshop taught by teacher Sandy Delehanty in Belgium and organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeNorth Sea. Painting vignette for the sketching watercolor workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeVisit of a lace maker, speciality of Bruges, during the watercolor painting workshop taught by teacher Sandy Delehanty in Belgium and organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeVisit of a lace maker, speciality of Bruges, during the watercolor painting workshop taught by teacher Sandy Delehanty in Belgium and organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French Escapade2 CV citroen painted car. Painting vignette for the travel sketching workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com in Belgium.

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWatercolor by Bonnie Crosse, participant of the travel sketching workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com in Belgium and taught by Sandy Delehanty.

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTeacher Sandy Delehanty on her travel sketching workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com in Belgium

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeHorse drawn carriage in Bruges. Photo taken by watercolor teacher Sonja Hamilton for the painting workshop organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeCanal in Bruges. Photo taken during the travel sketching workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWatercolor artist Sonja Hamilton during her watercolor painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeTrees along the canals from Bruges, Belgium to Holland. Photo taken by Jackie Grandchamps, owner of www.frenchescapade.com during the painting vacations she organizes.

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeDay trip to Holland during the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeWooden clogs in Holland during the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeGouda cheese from Holland. Painting vignette taken during the watercolor painting workshop to Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeDay trip to Holland during the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Painting Workshop in Belgium with French EscapadeDay trip to Holland during the painting workshop in Belgium organized by www.frenchescapade.com

Book Now!

To Make Your Reservation for a French Escapade Tour please follow the steps below and review our Cancellation Policy:

1

Check Availability

Send us an e-mail to check availability. Include the dates you are interested in and the number of people you will be reserving a spot for.

2

Submit Registration Form and Send $600 Deposit

After receiving confirmation of availability, complete and submit the Reservation Form and send your $600 deposit check to:

French Escapade LLC
2389 Blackpool Place
San Leandro, CA 94577

If you live in the US:

pay by check, payable to French Escapade (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order)

or by wire transfer (let us know and we will provide you with our account number)

If you live outside the US please contact us for other payment options.

3

Receive Confirmation

We will send you a written confirmation of your reservation along with an information package for your trip (info about pick up and drop off, recommended insurance, name of a travel agent, what to bring, etc…).

4

Submit Remaining Balance

Your remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel the trip:

Cancellation Fee per Person

If French Escapade cancels

You get a full refund

More than 90 days before departure

$600 forfeited (transferable to another trip with a $50 admin fee or refunded if replacement found)